tracked leader until ridden over 3f out, no extra inside final furlong
prominent, went 2nd over 3f out until over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
took keen hold, led, ridden 2f out, edged right from over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, stayed on
held up, effort over 1f out, stayed on but never able to trouble leaders
held up in rear, pushed along over 2f out, soon well beaten
held up in touch, went 2nd over 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, stayed on
held up in rear, well beaten final 2f
Five of these were successful on their latest starts, although Illustrious Prince's win came back in November. Khajaaly ended a long losing run here last month and Hillbilly Boy took advantage of favourable terms to land a seller over track and trip on his latest start - both will find this tougher however. Powerful Pierre bids for his fourth course win in his last five outings after scoring over 6f a week ago. He's upped a further 5lb and CARAMACK has been raised the same amount having recorded a double with a recent victory over course and distance. But Richard Lee's charge won more cosily than the narrow winning margin would suggest and the hat-trick beckons.
Powerful Pierre 11-2 (9-2) Chased leaders in 4th, ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on, won at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol beating Point North (8-13) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Illustrious Prince (IRE) 5-2 (9-4) Raced wide tracked leaders, led halfway, clear 2f out, ridden out, won at Wolverhampton 7f sell stks (6) pol in Nov beating Pravda Street (9-4) by 2 3/4l, 6 ran.
Hillbilly Boy (IRE) 14-1 (8-3) Led 1f, tracked leader, effort on inside over 1f out, ridden and sustained challenge final furlong, led final strides, won at Lingfield 7f sell stks (6) pol in Jan beating Kuanyao (9-1) by hd, 5 ran.
Eastern Dragon (IRE) 12-1 (8-13) Took keen hold, held up tracking leaders, pushed along over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 5, 7l behind Secular Society (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Caramack 7-2 (9-2) Raced wide and held up towards rear, not clear run briefly 3f out, headway on wide outside over 1f out, chased leader and edged left inside final furlong, ran on to lead final 100 yards, won at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jan beating Smalljohn (9-4) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Dimitar (USA) 8-1 (9-5) Held up in rear, ridden and well held over 2f out, 7th of 9, 11l behind Smalljohn (9-2) at Wolverhampton 7f hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan.
Khajaaly (IRE) 7-2fav (9-1) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, ran on and hung left and well inside final furlong, led last strides, won at Wolverhampton 7f hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan beating Hellbender (9-2) by hd, 9 ran.
Avonmore Star 10-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, effort over 1f out, soon lost place, 7th of 9, 6l behind Rigolleto (9-6) at Kempton 6f hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan.